Arabic online classifieds platform, OpenSooq, launched its first mobile app in October 2013. Only within a year of being released, the app was downloaded over 2 million times making OpenSooq the region’s mobile classifieds leader, while surpassing the number of downloads of all its competitors combined. The company’s mobile platform continues to promise further growth thanks to the high demand for digital products in the under-served market of the Middle East North Africa.
Opensooq was established in 2008, and is now one of the largest online classifieds players in the market. In 2012, the company became a member of iMENA Group’s businesses – an operator of nine fast-growing online businesses in MENA including Telr, SellAnyCar, ReserveOut, EasyTaxi Middle East, hellofood Middle East and more.
OpenSooq allows users to buy, sell, and trade with others in the region. The website and mobile app allow users to browse new listings, post ads for products and shop for a variety of items including electronics, home furniture, cars, houses and apartments. Moreover, the platform has a job section where users can post ads about employment opportunities and search for jobs regionally; a very helpful feature in a region where unemployment rates among youth are very high.
With quarter of a billion views per month, Opensooq.com is certainly making waves in the Internet industry in the MENA region and around the world. So far the company has kept user expenses to a minimum as the app and website allow users to post ads for free and buy products and services without a commission. Upgrades can be purchased, however, for now OpenSooq’s free features are attracting a high volume of users as well as continued business from loyal customers.
OpenSooq is meeting the vital needs of consumers in MENA by allowing online merchants and shoppers to interact on a common platform and satisfy their daily needs to buy/sell products and services. The incredible growth of Opensooq in the MENA region and its continued success with its mobile app demonstrate the success of the online classifieds business model in the Middle East and the potential for further growth, change and evolution in response to users’ needs.
